Residents warned on rattlesnake dangers

SAN DIEGO - With rattlesnakes emerging from hibernation, San
Diego County residents today were urged to take steps to keep their
pets from being bitten.

"About this time of year, every year, we are going to have
people bringing in their pets because they have been bitten by
rattlesnakes," said John Van Zante, spokesman for the Helen
Woodward Animal Center.

Van Zante said hundreds of pets are bitten by snakes in San
Diego County each year, many during spring when the reptiles come
out of hibernation and search for food and warmth.

"In the hills of the East County there are rattlesnakes
everywhere," he said. "Now that we have warmer temperatures they
are coming out and looking for nice places to sun themselves."

To protect pets from snakebites residents were encouraged
to:

Stay on marked, well-traveled trails when hiking with
pets;

Keep dogs on a leash so they can't wander off the trail. Also,
leashes can be used to pull pets away from the snake;

If a pet does get bitten, you should:

Get a description of the snake, including size, color and
markings, so the information can be shared with a
veterinarian;

Carry the bitten pet to a car and immediately go to the nearest
veterinary clinic;

Be sure to keep veterinarian's telephone number accessible near
a telephone;

"If we can give people tips on what to do when they encounter a
snake we can cut down on the number of bites," Van Zante said.